Machine operating mechanism.



L. C. REYNOLDS.

MACHINE OPERATING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 6.1918.

|Z3056783 0234.56789 |Z34560B9 123056789 23406789 l.. C. REYNOLDS.

MACHINE OPERATING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION F|LED1uLY6,|91s.

1,298,400. Patented Mar. 25, 1919.

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Y *A 6o O PUSH 6 @WVG Ww@ t .UNITED STATES PATENT onirica.

LYNUs CLYDD REYNOLDS, or WASHINGTON, DISTRICT or COLUMBIA, ASSIeNoR ToHIMSELI AND J. W. FISHER, m., or WASHINGTON, DISTRICT or COLUMBIA.

MACHINE OPERATING MECHANISM'.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 25, 1919.

Application filed July 6, 1918. Serial N o. 243,680.

To all wkowrit may concern:

Be it known that I, LYNUS CLYDE REY' NoLDs, a citizen of the United'States, and residentv of Washington, in the District of Columbia, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Machine OperatingMechanisms, of Which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to a machine for Vpunching or performingother Work on cards or sheets of paper -or other material, for example,such as are used for recordin and tabulating ce-nsus and othercompilations, and it is the primary object of the invention to providein combination With a machine for feeding sheets or other objects andmanually controlled for punching or performing other Work on the sheets,means whereby some of the Work Will be performed automatically, orwithout manual aid, according to a pattern or predetermined arrangement.In other Words, the machine is a combination manual and automatic one,in order that some of the punches or work performed on the sheets can'be done according to manual Selection for the successive sheets, andinl order that the holes punched in or other Work performed on a seriesof successive sheets in the same manner or in repeated duplicate, Willbe accomplished automatically. Thus, the machine is operable forautomaticaly punching or performing otherwork o n each of the successivesheets to provide'v predetermined perforations or the like, when aseries of sheets have the same data to be recorded thereon, While thercst of the perforationsor other Work performed on the sheets areaccomplished under manual vcontrol and selection, so that they Willdiffer on the various sheets as desired.

This machine is particularly designed for use inv punching perforationsor holes in cards, although the invention can be used in machines forperforming other Work on cards and sheets of various` sorts. Cardpunching machines are now used quite eX- tensively for tabulat'ingcensus and other statistical data and compilations, and the cards Whenpunched are used 1n connection with sorting and computing machines. Thesorting machines Will sort the cards according to certain holes punchedtherein, While the computing machines Will add up the numbers or otherdata recorded on the cards by the holes punched therein. It is thepresent practice to use tWo punching machines,

viz., a gang punch and a selective punch.

he gang punch is used for punching similar holes in a number or stack ofcards, with a vieW to saving labor and time, when a series of cards allhave corresponding holes or perforations, because this gang-punchingwill eliminate the individual punching of the cards excepting for thoseadditional perforations or holes which vary for the successive cards.The gang-punched cards are then punched by the selective punches bymanual selection according to data which varies for the different cards,and the gangpunching Will therefore save some time in the selectivepunching.

It has been found in practice that the gang-punching of stacks of cardsis objectionable for several reasons. Not infrequently, the Work ofselectively punching the cards is held up awaiting the gangpunchingthereof, thereby losing time. Furthermore, in gang-punching, the punchesmust penetrate all of the cards in a stack Which are being gang-punched,and in order to make the gang-punching profitable, it is necessary topunch quite a number of the cards at once. This results in theperforations or holes of the intermediate cards being im# perfectlyformed, and having ragged or feather edges, dueto the fact that only thelowermost card or cards are firmly supported on the die, While thoseabove, being superposed, can yield more or less' as the cards are luidercompressive strain when the punches penetrate them. Thus, some of thestock instead of being sheared from the cards by the punches with aclean cut, is pushed down by the punches to form a feather edge, andthis has vcaused trouble in the sorting of the cards, because thesefeather edges project from the sides of the cards and interfere With thesorting.

-The purpose of this invention, in the art of card punching, isthree-fold. First, it dispenses with the use of gang-punches altogether;secondly, it saves the time rcquired for gangunching by combining thisoperation with t c selective punching automatically and Withoutconsuming additional time in selective punching; and third, iteliminates irregular punching or feather edges around the perfor-ationsor holes, be-

cause the cards in being punched individually will have the perforationscut clean. The present machine, as used for punching cards, Vis operablemanually in `the usual way for making the selective punches, while theduplicate or similar punching operations, now done by the gang-punchingoperation, is accomplished automatically between the intervals of handpunching. The automatic mechanism of the machine is controlled by apattern or master-card which is previously punched so as to have suchperforations as are to be repeated for a series of cards, and themachine is so constructed that when this pattern card is applied, thesuccessive blank cards which are inserted and punched selectively undermanual control,

- will be automatically punched during the intervals of manual punching,according to the perforations in the pattern card, thereby combining thepresent method of gangpunching and selective punching into one operationwith resultant decided advantages in overcoming the objections in theprevailingpractice.

his invention is not only useful in the art of punching or perforatingsheets, but is also capable of advantageous use in other arts whereinsheets or other objects are operated on by work'performing elements,some of the work being repeated for which the automatic mechanismforming the subject matter for the present invention is suited, whilethe remainder of the work is done selectively under manual control.

Another object is the provision of an adjustable and reversiblekey-board for the machine, in order that itcan be placed at differentpositions for the convenience of the operator, and to enable thekey-board to be reversed for both right and left hand control andoperation. This feature is of advantageto relieve the operator, as thecontinued operation of these throughout the day sometimes tires theoperator, whereas if the key-board can be shifted to enable the operatorto change his or her position, relief can be had. Furthermore, thereversal of the ke 7-board enables either the right or left hand to beused with equal facility.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will be apparent asthe invention is more fully understood, the invention resides in thecombination of elements as hereinafter described and claimed, it beingunderstood that various changes can be made within the scope of what isclaimed, in adopting this invention to various uses, within the spiritof the invention.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein-Figure 1 is a plan view of the improved machine. v

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section on line machines Lasa/ico 2-2 of Fig.1, portions on the near side of the plane of section being shown.

Fig. 3 is a cross section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 showing the meansfor preventing more than one of the operating levers being operated at atime.

Fig. 4 is a cross section on the line 4-1 of Fig. 2, and also showingthe switch keyboard in section.

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatical view showing the electrical circuits.

As illustrated in the drawings, the invention is embodied in a cardpunching machine, which comprises a suitable base or frame 11 having aguide o'r slide way 12 for the card 13 to be punched omperforated, and aratchet bar or carrier 14 is slidable longitudinally in the base l1 forfeeding the card 13 longitudinally as it is operated on or punched. Thecarrier 14 has upturned portions 15 at its ends against which the endsof the card or sheet 13 bear, to cause said card to move with thecarrier. This carrier is advanced by a spring motor device 16 or thelike, and an escapement device 17 coperates with the carrier so that itis advanced step by step, but permits the carrier to be slid rearwardlyquickly to start the punching operation. The base 11 has a transversedie 18 over which the card 13 moves, and a transverse row of punches orwork performing members or plungers 19 are disposed above said die to,y

operate downwardly on the card. The punches or plungers 19 are slidablevertically in guides 20, the lowermost one of whichY holds the card 13on the die 18, so that the lower ends of the punches will properlypenetrate the card. -The punches or plungers are raised by the springs21.

The foregoing construction is quite similar to the selective punchingmachines now used, and the punches are, arranged in a transverse row tocorrespond with the columns or rows of digits on the card, so that ineach position or step of the card, any one of the punches can beoperated for making a corresponding perforation or hole in the card.

The punches or work performing members 19 are operated or depressed bymeans of levers 22 fulcrumed on`a shaft 23 supported' by standards 24rising from the baseat the opposite sides of the guide 12, and therespective levers 22 rest on the punches 19 and are raised thereby. Theoperating levers 22 are actuated by solenoids, `electroits core andthereby swing the corresponding lever 22 downwardly and bring ,thecorresponding punch into operation, and when the solenoid isdeenergized, the parts are returned by the respective spring 21. Thesolenoids or electro-magnetic means are used -in the present embodimentof the machine, but it will be understood that other? suitable operatingmeans can be used.

The means for preventing more than one of the levers 22 from beingoperated at a time, so as to avoid two or more punches being operatedsimultaneously, includes a transverse row of., upstanding stops 30 belowthe levers 22 and between the vertical planes of oscillation ofy saidlevers. These stops 30 are supported for yieldingmovement transverselyof lthe levers, and as shown, are supported by upstanding leaf springs31 carried by a crossbar 32 above the guide 12. These springs31 hold thestops' 30 in position, so that any one lever 22 in being moveddownwardly can pass between the two corresponding stops 30, and in doingso ,will separate said stops.- The stops in contacting with each otherwill be moved in opposite directions from the lever r22 that is moved,and this will prevent any of the other levers 22 being moved, but whenthe actuated lever 22 returns to idle position, the stops 30 also returnto normal position. As shown, an arch 33 carried by the base passes overthe levers 22 to limit their upward movement and to also limit theseparation ofthe stops 30.

A battery 34 or other source of electrical energy is used for energizingthe solenoids 26, and a conductor or leader 35 connects one pole of the'battery with one terminal of each of the solenoids. Individualconductors or leaders 36 are connected tothe other terminals of the.solenoids and extend to their respective contacts of key-operatedswitches 37 for the respective solenoids. The other contacts of saidswitches 37l are connected by fa common conductor or leader 38 with theother poleof the battery 34. At any position of the card 13, it is aneasy matter to operate the desired punch by simply closing thecorresponding switch 37, which will close the circuit of the selectedsolenoid 26, and the corresponding punch is therefore brought into play,and as soon as the switch 37 is released, it opens the circuit and thesolenoid being denergized will permit the punch and its actuating meansto return to normal idle position. By using the electro-magneticoperating means under the control of key-operated switches, the leastpossible manual effort is necessary to operate the punches, as the Workis done eletrica-lly but under selective manual contro In order toadvance the card 13 whenever one of the punches has been operated andretrieved or returned, a lever 28 is fulcrumed on the shaft 23andextends under all of the levers 22 so as to be swung when any one of thelevers 22 is operated, and the lever 28 is connected by a link 29 orother .operative connection with the escapement mediately after oneperforation is made. i

p Coming to the means for automatically causing the operation of thepunches in cer' tain 4positions or steps of the card 13, in theembodiment as shown, the base 111 has a shelf 39 supporting a slab 40 ofinsulating material and provided with a depression or receptacle 41 forreceiving a pattern or master-card 42 having predetermined perforationsor holes 42 punched therein in certain columns or rows which are to berepeated for a series of cards 13. This' pattern card 42 is similar tothe blank cards 13 and can be readily removed and replaced so that theautomatic operation can lbe changed from time to time as required, orthe automatic operation can be controlled by any other suitable pattern.Suitable. means may be provided for holding the pattern card 42 inplace, such as longitudinal lips or flanges 43 to overhang and over-lapthe edges of the card. strips 44 are embedded in the slab 40, so thatthe card 42 covers them, and in order that the perforations or holes 42kwill expose the respective bars 44 which are arranged according to thedigits or longitudi-Y Longitudinal contact bars ory nal rows of markingson the card. The bars 44 have binding slalb 40 for the connection of theconductors 36whereby to electrically connect the bars 44 with therespective solenoids or electromagnets, it being noted that the patterncard* 42 is reversed in position relatively to the card 13, in view ofthe arrangement of the posts 45 near one end of the parts. The patterncard 42 being of paper or similar material will insulate the bars 44from above, excepting where exposed through the perforations or holes42. These perforations 42 or equivalent means are for the purpose ofclosing the circuits v Of the respective solenoids26 at the differentvpositions or steps ofthe card 13 determined by the longitudinalpositions of the perforations in the pattern card. In order to closethese circuits through the perforations i of the pattern card, there isprovided a transverse rock shaft 46 journaled in bearings 47 carried 'bythe forward portion 15 of the carrier 14, so that said shaft is mova'blewith the card 13 relatively to the pattern card 42. This shaft 46carries a contact comb or brush constituting spring fingers 48 extendingdownwardly and rearwardly to drag on the pattern card 42 during theforward ste by step movement of the card 13. There 1s one of the springfingers 48 above each Ibar 44, and the lower free ends of said fingershave the same relative position on the pattern card 42 as the punches 19have on the card13, so that the fingers 48 serve as an indicator toenable the operator to readily observe from the card 42, the particularcolumn of the card 13 that is under the punches. Furthermore, when thecard 13 steps into a`position to bring the fingers 48 over `a column ofthe pattern card 42 having a perforation 42, the corresponding finger 48will spring downwardly through said perforation and make contact withthe respective bar 44, so as to close the circuit Aof the respectivesolenoid. The shaft 46 has a finger piece 49 arrangedv to receive thepressure of the thumb or finger for pushing the carrier 14 and card 13which has been introduced, rearwardly to starting position, and thisfinger piece is so arranged that when it is pressed, it will turn theshaft 46 and raise the contact fingers 48 oli'l of the pattern card 42during the rearward movement, thereby rendering the automatic circuitclosing means inoperative during such rearward movement. A Spring 50between the linger piece 49 and a part of the carrier 14 will turn theshaft 46 back to normal position as soon as the pressure against thenger piece 49 is relieved. Y'lhus, when the carrier 14 and card 13 to'be punched are slid rearwardly, the lingers 48 are raised ,oi of thepattern card 42, and when the card 13 has reached its rearmost position'to start its forward step by step movement, the fingers 48 will bereturned against the pattern card 42 and brought under the desiredtension thereagainst lby the pressure of Fthe spring 50.

The contact lingers 48 are connected by a common conductor or leader 51with the conductor 38, whereby the bars 44 and their contact lingers 48are connected in parallel with the corresponding switches'37, so thatthe.

circuit of any solenoid can be closed either by the corresponding switch37 or the correspending bar 44 `and. contact finger 48 according towhether the operation is controlled manually or automatically. In orderto automatically break the circuit of the solenoids when they areautomatically closed,

' and thereby automatically advance the card 13 and repeat the automaticoperation if called for, a suitable switch 52is disposed in theconductor 51 and means is provided for opening said normally closedswitch 52 as soon as any of the punches 19 has completed its work inpenetrating the card 13. As shown, the switch 52 is carried by onestandard 24 and the lever 28 has an arm 53 so arranged that when thelever 28 is swung downwardly with any of the levers 22, the arm 53 `willcontact with the switch 52 and open it when the punch 19 that isoperated has punched the card. This will immedi-y ately open Ithecircuit of the energized solenoid, and the piinch and lever 22 willtherefore be returned promptly to normal position under the infiuence ofthe corresponding spring 21 and the escapement pawls will thereforeallow the carrier 14 and card 13 to advance a step, just the same lasthey do as when the switches 37 are operated for operating the punches.

The switches 37 are embodied in an adjustable and reversible key-boardcomprising a casing 54 having a double clamp 55 for engaging the forwardwall of the base or frame 11 when said casing is inverted to either itsreverseJ positions, and said clamp has a set screw 56 or other suitablemeans for fastening it to the base. This clamping means permits thecasing 54 to be loosened and shifted longitudinally Ialong the base toany desired position for the convenience of the operator, or the casing54 can be turned upside down for reversing the keys 58. The switchescomprise companion contact springs 57 separated from one another and twosets of push buttons 58 are slidable through the opposite top and bottomwalls of the casing and are arranged on opposite sides of the companioncontactsprings 57 whereby the push buttons or keys 58 on either side canbe manipulated for moving the correspond-` ing springs 57 against theopposite ones, thus rendering the -key-board reversible. VVllen Vone setof keys is uppermost, the same is suited for the righ-t hand, whereaswhen the keyboard is reversed or invented, this will reverse the keysfor left hand operation. The conductors 36 are .connected to one spring57 of each pair while the common conductor 38 is connected to the othersprings so that when any one push button or key is pressed, this willclose the circuit of the respective solenoid. The keys can be quicklymanipulated with the slightest manual effort for operating the punchesthrough the aid of the electro-magnetic means.

The operation of the machine is as follows:

Supposing that .the carrier. 14 is in its fore- \most or card-receivingposition, then a card 13 can be readily introduced by -placing in theguide 12 between the portions 15. The operator then moves the carrierrearwardly by pushing on the finger piece 49, which will raisethecontact fingers 48 olf' of the pattern card 42 during such rearwardmovement, and when the card 13 is moved to its rearmost position, thefinger piece 49 is released land this lets the contact-members 48 downon the pattern card 42. Now, if the first column of digits on thepattern card 42 has a -perforation, then one of the fingers 48 willimmediately make electrical contact through the porforation with therespective bar 44, and this will instantly energize the correspondingsolenoid Iand cause the .punch operated thereby to punch the first holein the card 13 automatically, and if, as illustrated, there are one ormore successive columns on the card 42 having perforations, then, asvsoon as the rst perforation is made and the switch 52 is opened so asto restore the operating mea-ns, the carrier 14 and card 13 Willautomatically advance one step, as Well as the contact fingers 48.Therefore, fthe :fingers 48 are removed from the first column and itsperforation to the next column so that the respective finger 48 willspring down through the perforation of the latter 'column and repeat theautomatic punching operation accordingly. This automatic operation isrepeated until the fingers 48 reach a column on the pattern card 42 thatis not perforated, when the card 13 comes to rest for manual operation.The automatic operation, even for several successive columns orpositions, is accomplished rapidly, so as to lose no time, and

vwill be done before the operator is ready to press a key 58. Theselective manual punching is done by'operating the keys 58, and Wheneverthe fingers 48 reach a position on the card 42 having a -perforation42', then the automatic operation takes place instantly, and is repeatedas required, so that the card 13 is ready for the next selective manualpunching practically as quick as the operator is ready to pre-ss thenext -key 58. In this manner, as the card 13 moves step by step, thepunching is done automatically in those positions of the card 13determined by the perforations in the ypattern card 42, While in theother positions of the card 13 it stops for manual-controlled punching,it being noted that as each perforation in the card 13 is completed byautomatic or manual control, the card 13 advances one step and stops formanual control but only stops'for an instant in automatic control Whilethe automatic punching is completed and then steps on for the nextoperation. By changing the pattern card 42, the results of an adjustablegangpunching machine are quickly attained, and thepreseirt machineobtains the results of gang-punching without the objections incidentthereto and with economy by dispensing with the gang-punching machinesand attendant labor and time. In lieu of the gangipunching of the cards13, according to the perforations 42', the present machine automaticallyprovides the ycard 13 with corresponding perforations during theintervals of manually-controlled punching and Without loss of time.

The term sheets in the appended claims is meant broadly for variousblank objects or devices to be operated on in different ways, andfurthermore, although the claims indicate that the sheet or objectmoves, same is to be taken in a broadsense as a relative motion of theparts, because the same result would be obtained if the sheet or objectstood still and the rest of t-he maually-controlled Work-performingmembersl to operate on the sheet when fed from position to position, andmeans for automatically controlling said members at some previouslyselected positions only of the sheet to perform predetermined repetitionwork without manual aid and leaving the rest of the work for manualcontrol in the other p0- sitions of the sheet.

2. A machine for operating on sheets, embodying means for feeding asheet, Workperforming members to operate on the sheet, keys controllingsaid members for manual operation, and means for automaticallycontrolling said members at previously selected positions only of thesheet to perform predetermined repetition Work without the aid of thekeys and leaving the rest of the Work for manual control in the otherpositions -of the sheet. l

3. A machine for operating on sheets, embodying means for feeding asheet step by step as Work is performed thereon, manually-controlledWork-performing members to operate on the sheet in each step, and meansfor automatically controlling said members in some previously selectedysteps only of the sheet toperform predetermined repetition Work Withoutmanual aid and leaving the rest of the Work for manual control in theother steps of the sheet.

4. A machine for operating on sheets, embodying means for feeding asheet step by step as work is performed thereon., Work! performingmembers to 'operate on the sheet in each step, keys controlling saidmembers for manual operation, and means for automatically controllingsaid members in previ` ously selected steps only of the sheet to performpredetermlned repetition Work Without the aid of the keys and leavingthe rest of the Work for key control in the other steps of the sheet.

5. A machine for o erating on sheets, embodying means for ceding asheet, Workperforming members to operate lon the sheet,manually-controlled operating means for said members, and means operablefor automatically controlling said operating means to automaticallyoperate said members in some previously selected positions only of thesheet to perform predetermined repetition Work Without manual aid andleaving the rest of the Work for manual control in the other positionsof the sheet.

i 6. A machine for operating on sheets, embodying means for feedingasheet, Workperforming members to operate on the sheet,

--,ing the rest of the Work 4for key control in the other posit-ions ofthe sheet.

7. A machine for operating on sheets,

embodying means for automatically feeding a sheet step by step as Workis performed thereon, Work-performing members to operate on the sheet ineach step, manuallycontrolled operating means controlling said members,and means for automatically controlling the operating means in somepreviously selected steps only of the sheet to perform predeterminedrepetition Work Without manual aid and leaving the rest of the Work formanual control in the other steps of the sheet.

8. A machine for operating on sheets, embodying means for automaticallyfeeding a sheet step by step as Work is performed thereon,Work-performing members -to operate on the sheet in each step, operatingmeans for said members, keys cont-rolling said operating means formanual Y operation, and means operable for automatically controllingsaid operating means in previously selected steps only of the sheet toautomatically operate said members for predetermined repetition WorkWithout the aid of the keys and leaving the rest of the Work for keycontrol in the other steps ofthe sheet.

9. A machine for operating on sheets, embodying means for feeding asheet, manually-controlled Work-performing members to operate on thesheet, a pattern for determining predetermined repetition work to beperformed on the sheet in some positions only lthereof and leaving t-herest of the Work for manual control, and means controlled by saidpattern and controlling said members to only operate them automaticallyin the predetermined positions of the sheet determined by said pattern.

- matically operate said members Without the aid of the keys. y

11. A machine for operating on sheets, em-

bodying means for feeding a sheet, workperforming members to operate onthe sheet, manually controlled operating means for said members, apat-tern for determining predetermined repetition work to be performedon the sheet in some posit-ions only thereof and leaving the rest of thework for manual control, and means controlled by the pattern andcontrolling the operating means for automatically operating said membersin the predetermined positions only of the sheet determined by thepattern, to perform the predetermined Work Wit-hout manual aid.

12. A machine for operat-ing on sheets, embodying means forautomatically feeding a sheet step by step as Work is performed thereon,Work-performing members to operate on the sheet in each step, operatingmeans for said members, keys controlling the operating means for manualoperation, a pattern for predetermined repetition work to be performedonthe sheet in some steps only thereof and leaving the rest of the Workfor key control, and means controlled by the pattern and controlling theoperating means for automatically operating said members in thepredetermined steps only of the sheet determined by the pattern.

13. A machine for operating on sheets, embodying means for feeding asheet, manuallycontrolled Work-performing members to opcrate on thesheet, and means for automatically controlling said members to performsome of the work Without manual aid for repetition, including a patternhaving predetermined portions for controlling electrical circuits insome positions of the sheet only and electrical means controlled by saidportions to bring the members in-to automatic operation onlyin thepredetermined positions of the'sheet and lea-ving the rest of the workfor manual control.

14:. A machine for operating on sheets, embodying means for feeding asheet, manually-controlled Work-performing members to operate on thesheet, a pattern sheet having perforations for determining predeterminedrepetition Work to be performed on the aforesaid sheet in someposit-ions onlyl thereof, and means operable through said perforationsof the pattern sheet and controlling said members for automaticallyoperating them in the predetermined positions only of the first Ymentioned sheet determined by the perforations 1n the pattern sheet andleaving theA rest of the Work for manual control.

155A machine for operating on sheets, embodylng means for feeding asheet, manually-controlled work-performing members to opera-te on thesheet, a pattern sheet having perforations to determine some of the workonly to be performed on the aforesaid sheet for repetition, andelectrical means coperable with the pattern sheet and including circuitsclosed through said perforations to bring said members into automaticoperation in some positions only of the first mentioned sheet determinedby the perforations in the pattern sheet and' leaving the rest of thework for manual control.

16, A machine for operating on sheets, embodying means for automaticallyfeeding a sheet step by step as work is performed thereon,work-performing members to operate on the sheet, electrical meanscontrolling the operation of said members, keys for manual control ofsaid members, a 4pattern sheet having perforations to determine some ofthe work only to be performed on the aforesaid sheet, and electricalcircuit closing means operable through the perforations of the patternsheet and controlling said electrical means to bring said members into oeration automatically in some positions on y of the rst mentioned sheetdetermined by the perforations in the pattern sheet and leaving the restof the work for key control.

17. A machine for operating on sheets, embodying means for automaticallyfeeding a sheet step by step as work is performed thereon,work-performing members to operate on the sheet in each step thereof,electrical operating means for said members, keys controlling theoperating means for manual operation, a npattern sheet havingperforations to determine some of the work only to be performed on theaforesaid sheet, and circuit closing means operable through theperforations of the pattern sheet and controlling the operating meansfor the automatic operation of said members in predetermined steps onlyof the first mentioned sheet determined by the perforations in thepattern sheet and leavin the rest of the work for key control.

18. machine for performing work on sheets, embodying means movable backand forth for feeding a sheet inl lone direction, work-performingmembers to operate on the sheet, and means 'including relatively movablecoperable parts, one movable with the sheet, for automaticallycontrolling said members to operate on the sheet and means operable toprevent coperation of said parts when said movable part is moved in theother direction.

19. A machine for operating on sheets, em-

` bodying acarrier movable back and forth for feeding a sheet, means forfeeding said carrier step by step in one direction, workperformingmembers to operate on the sheet, operating means for said members, aattern for determining the work to be per ormed, means coperable withsaid pattern and controlling the operating means for the automaticoperation of said members `according .to the pattern, the last namedmeans and pattern being relatively movable, oneowith the carrier, andmeans for moving the earr soo ,71

rier in the other direction .to start the step by step movement and toalso prevent cooperation 0f the pattern and third named means duringsuch movement of the carrier.

20. A machine for operating on sheets, embodying a carrier movable backand. forth for feeding a sheet, means for moving said carrier step bystep in one direction, electrical operating means, work-performingmembers controlled by the operating means to operate on the sheet, apattern sheet having perforations to determine the work to be performedon the aforesaid sheet, circuit closing means coperable with the sheetfor closing circuits, through said perforations and controlling theoperating means, said pattern and circuit closing means beingrelartively'movable, one with the carrier, and

means for moving the carrier in the other direction to start the step bystep movement and operable to separate the pattern and circuit closingmeans during such movement of the carrier.

21. A machine for operating on sheets, emt bodying means for feeding asheet, workperforming members to operate on the sheet, electricaloperating means for said members, and a key board having switchescontrolling said operating means and a set of keys for operating theswitches, said switch board -being movable to different positionsrelatively to the machine for the convenience of the operator.

22. A machine for operating on sheets, embodying means for feeding asheet, workperforming members to operate on the sheet, electricaloperating mea'ns for said members, and a switch board having oppositeright and left hand sets of keys and switches operated by the keys ofboth sets for controlling the operating means, said switch board beingreversible for either right or left hand operation.

23. A machine for operating on sheets, embodying means for feeding asheet, Workperforming members to operate on the sheet, electricaloperating means for said members, a kev board casing, opposite right andleft hand sets of keys carried by said casing, a set of switches withinthe casing operated by the .Y keys of both sets for controlling theoperating-means, and means for supporting said caslng in variousadjustments and in l for either right or left hand operation.

26. A machine having work producing' members, and a key board havingopposite reverse sets of keys, means for reversibly supporting the keyboard to bring either set of keys into position for right or left handoperation, and means operated by the keys of both s ets and controllingsaid members to operate them.

27. A machine having a frame and Work producing means, and a key boardhaving reverse sets of keys for the right and left hands of theoperator, means operated by the keys of both sets for controlling thework producing means selectively, and means for supporting the key boardrelatively to said frame for bringing either set of keys into positionfor operation and for shifting the key board to different positions forthe convenience of the operator.

28. A machine embodying means for feeding an object from position toposition, manually operable work producing means to operate on theobject in each position, and means operable automatically in certainpreviously selected positions only of the object, to performpredetermined.' Vayvork 'wiithiout manual aid and to leave the rest ofthe work for manual control and selection.

29. A machine embodying means movable.

means for controlling said devices, including a controlling pattern andcoperating means movable relatively, one back and forth simultaneouslyWith the first named means to bring Vthe automatic means .intooperation.

31. A machine embodying means for feeding an object to differentpositions, manually operable Work performing means' to operate on theobject in its different positions, and automatic mea-ns controlling saidWork performingmeans and controlled as the object is moved so that somepreviously determined Work is taken up and performed automatically andthe other work left for limited manual operation at desired points ofthe Work before the automatic operation is again taken up.

32. A machine embodying means for feed- `ing an object to differentpositions, Work ment of the feeding means and operative to start andperform; previously selected work automatically and inoperative atpreviously determined points of the Work to leave desired portions ofthe work for manual operation and selection.

33. A machine embodying means for feeding a sheet to differentpositions, Work `performing members to operate on the sheet in itsdifferent positions, operating means for said members, keys for manualcontrol of said members, and means advanced by the movement 0f thefeeding. means controlling the operating means for automaticallyoperating said members for previously determined Work on the sheet andinterrupting the automatic operation for al limit/cd1` amount of work atdesired p'oints of the Work at'such points for key control.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand this 2nd day of July, 1918.

LYNUS CLYDE REYNOLDS.

